Michael Parkinson says president of Fifa is ‘beyond redemption’ in passionate World Cup critique
‘The people who are running the game should be ashamed,’ broadcaster said
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir Michael Parkinson has expressed his disdain towards Fifa president Gianni Infantino during a discussion about the current state of football.
The sporting organisation has faced significant criticism recently, much of it being linked to the decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar.
Among issues raised about the tournament taking place in the country include the mistreatment of migrant workers and the criminalisation of homosexuality.
During an appearance on Wednesday’s edition (23 November) of Good Morning Britain, Sir Michael discussed his new memoir, My Sporting Life.
When asked who he’d like to interview if given the chance, the 87-year-old broadcaster named the boss of Fifa as someone who he had no interest in conversing with.
“No, he’s beyond redemption. Let him go away and wither,” he quipped, before adding: “What’s happened to football?”
Hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid encouraged him to expand on his view, and the former talk show host claimed that football had gone away from its “moral roots” to something solely focused on money.
“It’s gone beyond its meaning; transferred to another world,” Sir Michael explained, before stating: “The people who are running the game should be ashamed.
“They think they’ve got it right, but they’ve totally misunderstood its importance.”
Finally, he claimed that instead of being a sport that unites communities, football now has “nothing to do with anybody but bent millionaires”.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Sir Michael is far from the only public figure to make a point of criticising football recently. Last week, The Last Leg released a polarising parody version of “Three Lions”, highlighting issues surrounding the World Cup.
Elsewhere, Joe Lycett sparked conversation when he appeared to shred £10,000 cash as a response to David Beckham not cutting ties with Qatar. He later revealed that it was a stunt in order to raise awareness of the harm faced by LGBTQ+ people in the country, and had actually donated the money to charities.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments